Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme

About our service

Cardiac rehabilitation is a comprehensive outpatient programme designed to enhance the cardiovascular health of patients recovering from heart-related illnesses or procedures. This includes conditions such as heart attacks, stenting, microvascular disease, coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery and heart valve surgeries. 

The programme is tailored to help patients of all ages recover their health and quality of life and limit the recurrence of heart disease.

Who is the programme for?

The Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme at Mater Private Network is suitable for anyone who has had a cardiac event (any incident that may cause damage to the heart muscle)  or been seen by a cardiologist. It is designed to help patients regain their physical fitness level, with particular focus on muscle strengthening exercises prescribed by our clinical physiotherapist. The programme also provides education and support to help patients manage their condition long term.

How is the Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme delivered?

The programme is delivered by our multidisciplinary team including a cardiologist, clinical nurse specialist, physiotherapist, dietitian, psychotherapist, and pharmacist.  The team works closely with each patient to tailor the rehabilitation to their specific needs.

The cardiac rehabilitation programme lasts for 6 weeks with two sessions per week, each lasting for 2 hours. Each session includes: 

• 1 hour of exercise tailored to the individual’s fitness level and progressed based on their ability.
• 1 hour of education each week, where patients learn to understand their condition and how to manage it in the future. 
• 1 hour of psychotherapist-led coaching on stress management strategies, with an overview of mindfulness and relaxation techniques.

What happens after the programme?

After completing the programme, patients are reassessed and receive feedback, including advice on improvements & a discharge exercise plan to continue their progress at home. A cardiologist consultation or further testing can be arranged if needed, and ongoing contact with the team is available for continued support. 

What are the benefits of attending this Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme?

Cardiac rehabilitation has numerous benefits, including:

• Improved health outcomes: Research shows that patients participating in cardiac rehabilitation experience a 26% reduction in fatal heart events.
• Increased aerobic exercise capacity: Participants can expect an increase of 5-10% in cardio-respiratory fitness, with improvements in flexibility, muscular strength, and endurance.
• Reduction in cardiovascular risk factors: Cardiac rehabilitation helps to lower LDL cholesterol, increase HDL cholesterol, assist in weight control, regulate blood sugar levels, and maintain normal blood pressure. It can also support smoking cessation. 
• Reduced hospital re-admission: Participation in the programme can reduce the chance of being readmitted to hospital by 18%. 
• Improved symptoms: Patients often experience improvements in symptoms such as angina and heart failure.
• Better Psychological Well-being: The programme helps to reduce anxiety and depression. It promotes stress management which is linked to better overall health outcomes, including lower blood pressure and improved lifestyle habits such as exercise and diet.

How can I access the Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme?

To access the programme, you may be referred by one of our cardiologists or you can call our department to discuss directly – the programme is open to any patient under the Mater Private Network cardiology team.

The cost to participate in the programme is €500. 

For more information or to join, please contact Irene Murphy at 021 601 3215. 

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